Mayor Newsletter

Significant City Council Actions

June 29, 2023 – Special Session

Motion:  Councilor Tarman moved to adopt the recommended changes to the fee schedule by approving the 2^nd reading of Res 14-2023 by title only.  Councilor Hooker seconded the motion. Vote: Bjarnson (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Coker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Tarman (aye), Hooker (aye), Hollett (aye).  Motion passed 7-0

Comment: This schedule sets all fees for city services and should be reviewed and adopted annually by resolution.  This schedule had not been updated since 2021.

Motion:  Councilor Hooker moved to approve and adopt Res 11-2023, adopting the approved FY 23-24 Budget in the amount of $11,691,828.00 and making the associated appropriations and imposing and categorizing taxes, after a 2^nd reading by title only.   Councilor Tarman seconded the motion. Vote: Coker (aye), Tarman (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hooker (aye), Kinyon (nay), Bjarnson (aye).  Motion carried 5-1

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to approve and adopt Ordinance 940, amending Oakridge code chapter 130, to adopt a  fireworks ban and other restrictions during declared “extreme” fire danger conditions, effective immediately, after a 2^nd reading.  Councilor Coker seconded the motion. Vote: Coker (aye), Hooker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Mayor Cutchen (nay), Hollett (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Tarman (nay).  Motion passed 5-2.

*Comment: This ordinance allows fireworks during extreme fire danger conditions if they are done by a licensed entity. To allow fireworks when the fire danger is at the most extreme levels is a tragically flawed policy. Professional fireworks demonstrations are not immune from mistakes and to allow them presents an unnecessary risk to the citizens of Oakridge.  

 

July 6, 2023 Regular Session

Motion:  Councilor Tarman moved to approve the Oakridge Keg and Cask Festival’s event application for August 12, 2023 to include the requested street closure and to approve their alcohol permit, allowing for alcohol to be served until 11pm.  Councilor Hooker seconded the motion. Vote: Bjarnson (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Coker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Tarman (aye), Hooker (aye), Hollett (aye).    Motion passed 7-0

Motion:  Councilor Tarman moved that we schedule the City Council work & listening session regarding the proposed Ordinances pertaining to food trucks and portable restrooms for August 31, 2023 @ 6 pm.  Councilor Kinyon seconded the motion. Vote: Coker (aye), Tarman (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hooker (aye), Hollett (aye), Kinyon (aye), Bjarnson (aye).  Motion passed 7-0

Motion:  Councilor Tarman moved we approve Resolution 15-2023 to adopt the 2023-2028 Lane County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan after a 1^st reading.  Councilor Kinyon seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Tarman (aye), Kinyon (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Hollett (aye.  Motion passed 6-0

 Motion:  Councilor Tarman moved we approve Resolution 15-2023 to adopt the 2023-2028 Lane County Natural Hazards Mitigation Plan after a 2^nd reading by title only.  Councilor Kinyon seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hollett (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Tarman (aye).  Motion passed 6-0

Comment: Resolutions and ordinances can be adopted at a single meeting if they are read twice (one can be by title only) and the vote is unanimous. Otherwise, it needs to be read at a second meeting before adoption.

 

Motion-Councilor Kinyon moved to allow the CA to execute the sales agreement and finalize the sale of 76410 Douglas St.  Councilor Hooker seconded the motion. Vote: Kinyon (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Hollett (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hooker (aye), Tarman (aye).  Motion passed 6-0

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to allow the CA to execute the sales agreement and finalize the sale of OIP lot #20 subject to USDA approval.  Councilor Tarman seconded the motion. Vote: Bjarnson (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Kinyon (aye), Hollett (aye), Tarman (aye), Hooker (aye).  Motion passed 6-0

 Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to allow the CA to execute the sales agreement and finalize the sale of the old public works building located at 47899 Hwy 58.  Councilor Tarman seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Hollett (aye), Tarman (aye), Kinyon (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye).  Motion passed 6-0

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to appoint Kelly Wynant to seat 4 of the RTMP/TRT Committee for a term expiring December 2025.  Councilor Tarman seconded the motion. Vote: Hollett (aye), Hooker (aye), Tarman (aye), Bjarnson (aye), Kinyon (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye).  Motion passed 6-0

 

July 20, 2023 Regular Session

 

Motion:  Mayor Cutchen moved to appoint Chris Winchester to seat 6 of the Administrative Advisory Committee expiring in December of 2026.   Councilor Hollett seconded the motion. Vote: Mayor Cutchen (aye), Kinyon (aye), Hooker (aye), Hollett (aye) Coker (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved we approve $2,494.90 in RTMP funds to the 2023 Oakridge Keg & Cask Festival with no more than $1,000 in funds going forward [in future years].  Councilor Coker seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (nay), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye), Hollett (aye).  Motion passed 4-1

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to approve up $5,050 of TRT funds for the Banner Park Kiosk.  Councilor Hollett seconded the motion. Vote: Hollett (aye), Hooker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved that we raise the TRT Block Grant Program maximum to $1,000 in matching funds and to include murals as an eligible project if the designs are pre-approved by the CA for offensiveness [to ensure they don’t contain offensive content].  Councilor Hollett seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hollett (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to allow the CA to plan a rummage sale at the WAC in order to sell low value surplus items.  Councilor Hooker seconded the motion. Vote: Coker (aye), Hollett (aye), Kinyon (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hooker (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Motion:  Councilor Hooker moved to approve WeRSharp to build and operate a cooling station on City property when temperatures are above 85 degrees. Councilor Coker seconded the motion. Vote: Mayor Cutchen (nay), Hooker (nay), Kinyon (aye), Coker (nay), Hollett (nay).  Motion failed 1-4

Amended motion: Councilor Kinyon moved to approve WeRSharp to build and operate a cooling station on City property when temperatures are above 85 degrees to include a location of the Community Garden.  Councilor Coker seconded the motion. Vote: Mayor Cutchen (nay), Hooker (nay), Kinyon (aye), Coker (nay), Hollett (nay).  Motion failed 1-4

Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to postpone 10.6 [the Council Rules of Procedure] until we hear from the City Attorney.  Councilor Hooker seconded the motion.  Vote: Hooker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye), Hollett (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Comment: Several councilors requested the city attorney draft language to work around the city charter (section 19) which mandates the mayor appoint, with the approval of council, all committee members, including councilor representatives.

 Motion:  Councilor Hooker moved to allow the Mayor and CA to sign the draft letter of support for the proposed US Forest Service Dispersed Campsite Closures Order.  Councilor Hollett seconded the motion. Vote: Hollett (aye), Hooker (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

 Motion:  Councilor Kinyon moved to allow the CA to rent OIP office #8 and a small section of OIP lot 37 to Stellar J Construction for $500 per month. Councilor Hooker seconded the motion. Vote: Hooker (aye), Mayor Cutchen (aye), Hollett (aye), Kinyon (aye), Coker (aye).  Motion passed 5-0

Comment: This company will be doing ODO- funded seismic upgrades to the Salmon Creek Bridge on Highway 58.

Home Repair Grant Opportunity

Homeowners in the Oakridge-Westfir areas who need help to make health- and safety-oriented home repairs are sought to complete a simple assessment form for the Regional Housing Rehabilitation Loan Program (RHRP). The program, administered by St. Vincent de Paul Society of Lane County (SVdP), uses grant funds to provide financial assistance — in the form of low-interest, payment-deferred loans — to help income-eligible homeowners make necessary repairs so they can live safely in their homes.

The RHRP focuses on essential repairs which can include roofs, foundations, plumbing, electrical, heating systems, insulation, siding, windows and doors, paint, septic/drain fields, dry rot, accessibility issues and more.

The first step is for Oakridge-Westfir homeowners who are income-eligible to submit information using a needs-assessment form on SVdP’s website (which also includes an income eligibility chart). The fillable PDF forms can be downloaded at  bit.ly/svdpRHRP, completed, and emailed to [email protected] or mailed to St. Vincent de Paul, RHRP Dept., P.O. Box 24608, Eugene, OR 97402. More information is available by calling Andy Clay at 541-743-7128.

Gross annual income limits for RHRP

Household size/Maximum income:

1: $47,250             5: $72,850

2: $54,000             6: $78,250

3: $60,750             7: $83,650

4: $67,450             8: $89,050

 

Upcoming Meetings

WAC Adv. – 8/21 5:30pm

Public Safety – 8/22 6pm

Redistricting Comm – 8/24 6:30

Audit Committee -8/28 5pm

CC Work Session – 8/31 6pm